Ithaca went through several ownership changes and financial restructurings over the decades. During these transitions, many records for "economy" models like the 49 were either lost or never digitized into the main databases used by collectors. Summary Checklist for Owners Check for a number: If none, it’s a Identify caliber:
Prior to the GCA, US law did not mandate serial numbers on rimfire rifles. If your Model 49 lacks a serial number completely but features the standard "Ithaca Gun Co." stamps, it is an early production model made during this window.
Having a or memorized production notes allows immediate identification of:
Early serial numbers for variants like the Model 49R (repeater) began with 100000 . ithaca model 49 serial number lookup portable
, this single-shot .22 caliber rifle used a unique Martini-style falling block action, though it was cleverly designed to look like a classic Winchester lever-action repeater.
Serial numbers become standard. Hardwood lumber (such as birch or elm) replaces walnut, and the rear sight transitions to a simplified flat-top style.
Collectors have established approximate serial number ranges by examining period advertisements, warranty cards, and surviving factory documents. The most reliable portable is a digital or physical copy of Walter Claude Snyder’s book, “Ithaca Gun Company: From the Beginning” or the Blue Book of Gun Values . Ithaca went through several ownership changes and financial
As production ramped up through the 1970s, Ithaca transitioned to a longer, standardized 9-digit serialization tracking format. While precise month-by-month books were lost during corporate transitions, you can safely track the age of a 9-digit serialized receiver using historical benchmarks:
Provides a searchable database for various Ithaca firearms manufactured from 1880–1986 .
Since detailed year-by-year serial number tables for the Model 49 aren't publicly available, you can use these physical markers to narrow down the era: If your Model 49 lacks a serial number
can be challenging because factory records from that era are often fragmented. However, by understanding the manufacturing timeline and knowing where to look, you can accurately narrow down the production year of your "Saddle Gun." Quick Reference for Ithaca Model 49 Production Ithaca Model 49
: Rifles manufactured from late 1968 until production ended in 1979 feature stamped serial numbers.
While the Ithaca Model 49 serial number lookup process can provide exact production dates, here are some general date ranges to keep in mind: